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Oahu, Hawaii Vacation Destinations & Activities

Oahu, the state capitol of Hawaii, is the most populated island. You'll find lots of nightlife and great shopping. For adventure, hike to the top of Diamond Head for a spectacular 360-degree view of Oahu and Waikiki, take surfing lessons, scuba dive, or ride an outrigger canoe. Consider snorkeling at Hanauma Bay amongst a myriad of tropical marine life.

An Oahu Hawaii vacation isn't just for the adventuresome. Leisure recreation is everywhere. One thing everyone must do is take the scenic drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the historic site for a phenomenal view from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and while there stop and see where the famous big waves roll in. If you want to buy a lei, stop at one of the stands on Maunakea Street to see how they're made. Of course it goes without saying, when you are on a Hawaii vacation in Oahu, a visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial will be a highlight of the trip.

There are many nature tours to choose from on Oahu, Hawaii. Discover tropical rain forests, waterfalls, old Hawaiian Villages, visit an arboretum, or experience sunrise atop Diamond Head while learning of its history from your tour guide.

Many love to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu to, not only view original Hawaiian lifestyle, but also become familiar with many of the other Polynesian South Pacific Islands. This is a full day of entertainment and we recommend you buy your tickets in advance if you are traveling in a busy season.

For those who enjoy surfing, or simply like the thrill of watching some of the largest waves in the world pound the white Hawaiian sands, a visit to Oahu's North Shore is a trip you'll never forget. With waves reaching 20-30 feet in height, you'll witness some of the bravest surfers in the world risk it all as they tackle one of nature's most powerful forces. The North Shore of Oahu is where you'll find famous surf beaches like Pipeline and Waimea Bay. The biggest surf on the North Shore can be found during the winter months between November and February, while the summer months usually produce relatively small surf anywhere from a few feet in height to complete calm, which provides for great snorkeling and swimming in Waimea Bay.

A Hawaiian Vacation including Oahu would not be complete without a visit to King Kamehameha's Palace. The first King of Hawaii, under his rule, he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in the year 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence. Under his rule, he brought together all the other island's chiefdoms and united them under one government.

It goes without say, if this is your first Oahu Hawaii Vacation Rental experience, you will most likely visit Pearl Harbor in Oahu. Here you'll visit the Memorials of the USS Arizona and the Missouri. The Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. The tour of the Memorial includes a 23-minute documentary film depicting the attack on Pearl Harbor, a short boat trip and a self-guided exploration of the Memorial.

If you're an aviation buff, you'll enjoy The Pacific Aviation Museum. It is located in the WWII Hangars in Pearl Harbor, based on Oahu. These hangers still bear visible scars of our nation's first aviation battlefield. Here you'll find exhibits of a 1942 Japanese Zero and its' opponent, the Wildcat. See the Stearman 18 year old George H. W. Bush soloed in as the war's youngest aviator. Learn the history of how aviation turned the tide of World War II. Flight Simulators are also available for an extra fee.